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Kumagai Naohiko / An old pine tree in the morning glow , wide hanging scroll
This painting is impressive for its scorching morning glow and the powerful old pine tree. The unique appearance of the pine tree, which is likely a depiction of the real thing, conveys the artist's intense interest.
Ooide Toukou / A mantis on the willow takes a cicada
In China, there is a proverb that goes, "The mantis watches the cicada, and the sparrow is behind it." It is said that it means being distracted by immediate profits and not noticing the danger approaching from behind.
Ganku / Zhou Chu Eliminates Three Evils
At first glance, it looks like a landscape painting, but there is a small tiger depicted. Based on the Chinese legend "Zhou Chu Eliminates Three Evils", this painting depicts the scene of Zhou Chu killing the white-fronted tiger of Nanzan Mountain.
Watanabe Nangaku / Stream, Young sweetfish
The painting shows a school of sweetfish swimming with the current of the river, and the artist's skill in maximizing the image with minimal elements is superb. This is a work that only Nangaku, who excelled at painting scaled fish, could have created.
Yoshimura Houryu / A raccoon dog under the moon
The raccoon dog walks silently in the light of the hazy moon. The quiet autumn night scene is linked with the cold expression of the raccoon dog, and it is sure to catch your eye.
Kato Bunrei / A swallow flying under the willows
The startled expression on the face is quite lovely. This is a work by Kato Bunrei, Tani Buncho's master in his childhood.
Yamaguchi Soken / A tiger drinking water in a strong wind
A tiger drinking water from a river while being buffeted by a strong wind. Its expression is adorable and not the least bit scary. Yamaguchi Soken specialized in Japanese-beauty paintings, but he also painted a variety of animal paintings.
Honnyo / Flying swallow with wisteria
Wisteria flowers and a flying swallow. This work captured a scene from a peaceful daily life unique to spring. Among the successive head monks of Honganji Temple, Honnyo was particularly skilled in painting and left behind many works.
Kosugi Hoan / Playing birds with plum blossoms
The bleeding of the paint creates a unique atmosphere. This work conveys a warm gaze towards living creatures.
Tokuoka Shinsen / Puppy
The work depicting a puppy under a bamboo tree is called "Issho-zu(一笑図)", which expresses a wish for the prosperity of offspring.
Maeda Seison / Millet
The two sparrows are adorable and have a gentle charm. This is a work by Maeda Seison, who studied the traditions of Yamato-e painting deeply.
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Maeda Seison / Wagtail
The bold composition and simple brushworks are superb. This work gives a glimpse of Maeda Seison's gaze on living creatures.
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Tani Buncho / Wild goose
This work's spatial composition created using only ink is magnificent. It was painted in 1836 when Buncho was 75 years old.
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Horie Yusei / 2 Hanging scrolls of Dragon and Tiger
A grinning dragon and a tiger. The ferocity of both is beautifully expressed.
Kakizaki Hakyo / Flowers laugh and birds sing , wide hanging scroll
The red and white flower under the bamboo hat is probably a camellia. This flower-and-bird painting shows the influence of the Maruyama-Shijo school.
Dodo Konen / A snake and Young bamboo
Snakes, which are depicted as evil in Western paintings, are considered symbols of wealth and water in Japan.
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Maruyama Okyo / Playing turtle
This is a heartwarming piece of work depicting a turtle swimming leisurely and playing, and other turtles that appear to be parent and child watching over it. The box is inscribed by Kawabata Shigeaki, a Meiji-era Japanese painter and the son of Kawabata Gyokusho.
Goshun / Grasshopper, rice and moon
This is a calming autumn piece that evokes the feeling of a refreshing night breeze.
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Maruyama Okyo / Plovers with a wintry moon
This is a masterpiece that depicts a half moon floating brilliantly in the bitterly cold sky and plovers, a familiar winter seasonal word in haiku, using only ink. It has a box with the inscription by Mori Ippo who was a Mori school painter from the late Edo period. Formerly owned by the Setsuda family, a sake wholesaler that has been in business since the Edo period.
Ishiko Yurin / Woodpecker in Autumn Mountain
This painting vividly expresses the atmosphere of autumn. The delicately painted work is gorgeous and beautiful.
Inscription by Obaku Kacho, painted by Mori Sosen / Monkey parent and child
The fluffy fur and carefully drawn affectionate gestures will warm your heart. This is an excellent work by Mori Sosen, a master of monkey painting.
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Junyo / Bird and flowers
A flower-and-bird painting by the 18th abbot of Higashi Honganji, Junyo. The bird's gesture is cute, and the painting tells that he was as skilled as a professional painter.
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Kano Eisen’in / Rabbit and wavelets
This piece depicts the legendary rabbit that is said to live on the moon. The cute rabbit is drawn with strong lines.
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Hashimoto Gaho / Wild cows
It has the atmosphere of a truly modern Japanese painting, incorporating the perspective technique of Western painting. You can feel the so much distance of the landscape.